The Chambers High Net Worth Guide has once again listed Stewarts as a leading firm for private client litigation. A new record 19 individuals and two departments are ranked in the latest edition of the guide.
Chambers High Net Worth covers private wealth management work and related specialisms in key jurisdictions around the world, featuring in-depth editorial about the leading lawyers and law firms for wealthy individuals and families. You can read the full guide online.
Divorce and Family
Our Divorce and Family team has retained its market-leading Band 1 status and now has 13 individuals ranked, more than any other firm. The team is “second to none for family law” according to sources quoted by Chambers. Others describe Stewarts as “without a doubt the number one divorce firm in the country by a country mile. They are incredibly user-friendly, knowledgeable and experienced.”
Emma Hatley is once again acknowledged as a Star Individual. “She’s one of the brightest legal technicians that I’ve ever dealt with,” an interviewee says. “She is a really formidable opponent; when she’s on a case it’s like having two silks on the other side.”
Now recognised as a Senior Statesperson in family law, Helen Ward “is an absolute titan of the family law world. Her skills and abilities are legendary.”
Head of Department Stephen Foster and Debbie Chism have maintained their Band 1 rankings, with partner Richard Hogwood now also listed in Band 1.
Stephen is credited with “huge experience and significant international expertise,” and commended as “a strategic lawyer with a methodical approach. He is great at seeing the bigger picture and achieving results for clients.”
Debbie “enjoys a fantastic reputation for her expertise in complex family matters” according to Chambers. She is described by a source as “fantastic with clients. She is my go-to for collaborative law matters.”
Richard is described as “totally, totally efficient and effective in everything that he does. If you want something done, Richard has already done it. He’s always ten steps ahead on a matter.”
Matthew Humphries has risen to Band 2 in the 2022 rankings. Chambers interviewees describe him as “the full package: he is hugely knowledgeable, has fantastic judgement and great client skills.”
Toby Atkinson is now ranked in Band 3, also up from the previous edition, joining Sam Longworth who maintains his Band 3 listing. The guide says Toby “combines all the qualities that you want; he’s practical, empathetic and extraordinarily knowledgeable.”
Sam is credited with a “phenomenal work ethic” by an interviewee: “He is very client-focused, very knowledgeable and great to deal with.”
Previously listed as an Up and Coming partner, Carly Kinch has now risen to Band 4. “Particularly skilled at dealing with complex financial remedy proceedings,” Carly “has incredibly sound judgement and good client management.”
Sophie Chapman and Lucy Stewart-Gould appear in Chambers High Net Worth for the first time as Up and Coming partners. Sophie is hailed as “a rising star. She combines a number of skills that make her terrific; she is exceptionally calm under pressure and really good on the detail of a case.”
Lucy is “one of the best junior lawyers in the market right now,” according to an interviewee. Another says “her level of knowledge and ability is unparalleled for someone of her generation.”
Ranked as Associates to Watch by Chambers, Senior Associates Jenny Duggan and Sarah Havers also debut in the guide.
A family law barrister praises Jenny as “very strategic, detailed and thorough,” while a fellow solicitor says she is “really approachable and knowledgeable.”
Sarah also earns excellent commentary: “She is very good on cross-jurisdiction cases, she’s great with clients and has strong judgement. You would trust her to run a big case.”
Trusts and Probate
Our Trusts and Probate team has been ranked in Band 2 of the Private Wealth Disputes section for the second consecutive year. Chambers notes that Stewarts’ “purely litigation model ensures that partners are well placed to handle significant probate disputes, as well as the restructuring of sizeable trusts that bring together tax, trust and investment issues.”
Head of Trust and Probate Litigation James Price is once again ranked in Band 1. A barrister describes him as “one of the very best lawyers in the private client field, with a winning combination of charm, knowledge and experience.”
Maintaining his Band 2 listing, Geoff Kertesz “is really very clever and is universally popular” according to interviewees. “I think he will be the leading partner of this next generation,” one says.
Emma Holland has risen up the rankings for the second consecutive year, and is now included in Band 4. Chambers highlights her “growing reputation”, with one observer concluding “she is brilliant. It is pretty obvious that she is destined for great things.”
Senior Associate Luca Del Panta is ranked by Chambers High Net Worth for the first time, appearing as an Associate to Watch. Described by sources as “a really talented guy,” Luca is “multilingual too. He has good judgement and client-handling skills.”
Tax and Financial Crime
Head of Tax Litigation and Investigations David Pickstone receives a Band 2 ranking for the second consecutive year. The guide says David “has considerable experience advising high net worth clients on complex tax disputes with HMRC.”
Head of Financial Crime David Savage maintains his Up and Coming position. Sources describe him as “charismatic and hard-working. David is excellent and easy to work with, intellectually rigorous and up-to-date on sanctions issues.”
You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and teams on our Divorce and Family, Trust and Probate Litigation, Tax Litigation and Investigations and Financial Crime pages.
If you require assistance from our team, please contact us
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